When Davisites need a palate refresher, Sacramento is often the destination of choice. With its larger, more diverse community, the capitol city offers a broad range of cuisines that are sometimes seen as more "authentic" than Davis' offerings. To check if a Sacramento restaurant has had any health violations, you can look up its restaurant inspection reports online. Some Upscale Restaurants of note are in town. (You could also travel to West Sacramento, Woodland, Dixon, Vacaville, Winters... or just head home to Davis).
Here are some recommendations for restaurants in Sacramento:
Inexpensive
LowBrau (Pub): 1050 20th St. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Website: http://www.lowbrausacramento.com
Petra Greek (Greek): 1122 16th St. Hours: Mon.-Tues. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Wed.-Fri. 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Sat. 2 p.m. to 3 a.m.; Sun. Closed Website: https://petragreek.com
Suzie Burger (Fast food): 2820 P St. Hours: Wed.-Sat. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sun.-Tues. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Website: https://www.suzieburger.com
Mid-Range
Aioli Bodega Española (Spanish): 1800 L St. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun. 5 to 10 p.m. Website: http://aiolibodega.com
Cafe Rolle (French): 5357 H St. Hours: Tues. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wed.-Fri. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sun.-Mon. Closed Website: http://www.caferolle.com
The Waterboy (Italian): 2000 Capitol Ave. Hours: Mon. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, 5 to 9 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5 to 9:30 p.m.; Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5 to 10:30 p.m.; Sat. 5 to 10:30 p.m.; Sun. 5 to 9 p.m. Website: http://www.waterboyrestaurant.com
Splurge
The Firehouse Restaurant (American): 1112 2nd St. Hours: Mon,-Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5 to 9:30 p.m.; Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5 to 10 p.m.; Sat. 5 to 10 p.m.; Sun. 5 to 9:30 p.m. Website: http://www.firehouseoldsac.com
The Porch Restaurant and Bar (Southern): 1815 K St. Hours: Tues.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri-Sat. 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Mon. Closed Website: http://www.theporchrestaurantandbar.com
Morton's The Steakhouse (Steakhouse): U.S. Bank Tower, 621 Capitol Mall Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 5 to 11 p.m. Sun. 5 to 10 p.m. Website: http://www.mortons.com/sacramento/?utm_source=Yext&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Yext
For more information on Sacramento area restaurants, see the restaurants page on the SacWiki (your contributions are welcome).
Other Resources
I personally recommend PF Chang's, Thai Basil, Hamburger Mary's, Rick's Dessert Diner (2322 K St.) awesome diner atmosphere and seven layer cakes (mmm) and Mikuni Sushi to name a few - KristenBirdsall
jr's favorites: Tapa the World (Spanish tapas), Firehouse (fancy steak/seafood/california), Marika (hungarian food), Elephant Bar, Fox and Goose Pub (British food), Buca di Beppo (the best for a big group.) Random cheap(er) eats: Spaghetti Factory (good for big groups), Gold Rush Grille (2nd floor of Secretary of State's office—amazingly good however), Rubios (awesome Baja-style fish Tacos)
RobRoy Suggests Adalberto's Mexican Foods. It is damn good. Its so good the doorway might as well have an ISN Agent. And they are so authentic they don't even have a website. JabberWokky seconds the suggestion and adds that Adalberto owns several restaurants in the greater Sacramento area and that his wife, Carolina, has a few too (named after her), which are equally good (and remarkably similar). They are all tiny and authentic with cheap and very very good food.
I loved Zelda's Original Gourmet Pizza. This place serves up pizza that you really can't get in Davis! It's delicious! I also like PF Chang's, but it does have a "about to go to a club" atmosphere. Tres Hermanas is great, too. —PhilipNeustrom
AmandaIrish, a genuine Sacramentan, suggests the following: El Novillero (4216 Franklin)—the best "sit-down restaurant" Mexican you'll get in Sacto.—the portions are enormous and the salsa is AMAZING, Taste of Thai (1628 Broadway), Celestin's (Cajun—1815 K St.), Rio City Cafe (American—1110 Front Street in Old Sacto.), and Zinfandel Grille (American—2384 Fair Oaks). With the exception of El Novillero and Taste of Thai (plates around $7-8), the others are a little pricier but definitely worth it if you want to escape the pedestrian Davis options.
2005-08-15 22:52:04 The best chinese is always at the most ghetto hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Forget PF Chang's and try the Beef w/ Green Chow Fun at Lai Wah. You'll be going back for more. —WayneHuang
2006-08-13 19:19:18 I went to eat at Hot Rod's Burgers last night to find a blue-uniformed security guard standing outside. I asked him what the deal was (there were security guards similar to him standing outside of nearly every restaurant) and he said that it's the law in Sacramento for all places serving alcohol to have a licensed security guard standing outside. It seemed unnecessary and ridiculous to me (though, he was nothing but polite and helpful). What were we going to do, throw hot dogs at each other? Anyone have more details? —PhilipNeustrom
2006-08-13 21:37:24 What's meant by "Latin"? Shouldn't Italian be under that too? —KenjiYamada
2007-03-08 If you're ever in the Truxel and 80 shopping area in Natomas and want a quick bite, I recommend Andy's Original D-P Barbecue http://dpbbqsauce.com/menu.htm at Truxel and Arena Blvd. It BBQ food—ribs, chicken, trip-tip, etc. and their BBQ sauce is AWESOME. It's the type of place where you order at the counter, sit down, and wait for your food to come. The place seems very new (like all the other places in that area) and has a mom and pop feel to it. The lady who serves the food is really cool and nice too. Maybe that's why I liked it so much. Actually, if you frequent that shopping area, I recommend foregoing the typical chain restaurants and check out any of the locally owned places further up Truxel (closer to Arco). —YupYup
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